How to Replace a Shower Head Like a Pro

Whether you want to transform the aesthetic of your bathroom or quickly switch out an old leaky showerhead, it’s easy to replace your showerhead all by yourself. To get started, all you need are a pair of pliers, some Teflon (or plumber’s) tape, a cloth, an old toothbrush, and your new showerhead. We’ll cover how to remove your old showerhead and install the three most common types of showerhead systems. We’ll also give you a short buyer’s guide to choose a new head if you’re not sure which one to go with. Read on for more!

Changing a Shower Head

Turn the showerhead counterclockwise to remove it from the shower arm. Then, wrap Teflon tape clockwise around the threads on the shower arm. Screw the new showerhead clockwise onto the arm. Wrap the arm and the new head in pieces of cloth, then use pliers to tighten the connection.

Section 1 of 5:

Removing the Old Shower Head

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1
Unscrew the existing head from the shower arm. Hold a cloth around the base of the shower arm with one hand. Use an adjustable wrench or a pair of pliers to unscrew the head from the arm over the cloth. Twist the head counterclockwise until it comes off the arm.^{[1]
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- The cloth ensures that the finish on your fixtures won’t get scratched or damaged by your tool. If you don’t have one readily available, wrap Teflon tape around the plier’s jaws.
- Ensure the shower arm stays still while removing the shower head so it doesn’t unscrew inside the wall.
- Make sure the water is turned completely off before replacing the shower head. However, because this is a simple repair, there’s no need to turn off the water to the house.
2
Clean the threads of the shower arm with an old toothbrush. Remove any leftover Teflon tape left behind from the previous installation and dispose of it. Use an old toothbrush or cloth to scrub away any grime or rust from in between the threads of the arm.^{[2]
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- If the Teflon tape is stuck to the threads, try brushing the toothbrush over the area to loosen it.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 5:

Installing a Fixed Shower Head

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1
Wrap the threads of the shower arm clockwise with Teflon tape. Apply Teflon tape around the threads of the shower arm 2 to 3 times, wrapping the tape tightly in a clockwise direction. That way, when you screw on the new showerhead in the same direction, the Teflon tape doesn’t come undone.^{[4]
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Research source} When you’re done, pull gently on the tape to break it off.^{[5]
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- Press the tape into the grooves of the threads as you wrap.
- Try not to wrap too high up on the arm above the threads so the Teflon tape won’t show after you screw on the shower head.
2
Screw the new shower head onto the arm. Place the new shower head onto the shower arm, and twist it clockwise by hand until it’s snug. Wrap the base of the shower head and the shower arm with a cloth. Hold the shower arm in place, clamp onto the cloth with a pair of pliers, and turn the shower head clockwise as far as it will go.^{[6]
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- If you’re just changing the Teflon tape to fix a leaky showerhead, simply screw on your old shower head.
- When tightening the shower head, be careful not to over tighten it.
3
Turn on the water and check for leaks at the connection. Step out of the shower and turn on the water for a few seconds.^{[7]
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Research source} If you see any water leaking from the connection between the arm and the shower head, tighten it.
- If water is coming from other parts of the hardware, remove the shower head, secure the arm with more Teflon tape, and reattach the head.

Section 3 of 5:

Installing a Hand-Held Shower Head

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1
Screw the shower mount onto the arm by hand. Consult your manufacturer’s instructions to see if Teflon tape is required. If it isn’t, simply screw the mount onto the arm until it’s finger-tight. If the instructions recommend Teflon tape, wrap it around the threads at the end of the arm in a clockwise direction 2 or 3 times.^{[8]
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- The instructions will also tell you which end of the hose inserts into the mount and which end goes into the head.
2
Attach the shower mount to the shower arm. Check to make sure the rubber washer is inside the mount before installing it. Screw the mount onto the arm clockwise with your hand. Tighten the mount the rest of the way using a pair of pliers. Place a rag on top of the connection first so the pliers don’t damage the finish.^{[9]
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- As you finish tightening, make sure the outlet that connects to the hose points downward.
- If the mount is missing the washer, contact the showerhead’s manufacturer to get a replacement.
3
Connect the hose to the shower mount and the shower head. Verify that the rubber washers are in place inside both ends of the hose. Screw one end of the hose onto the outlet on the shower mount by hand. Screw the shower head onto the other end of the hose. Slide the head in the shower head holder on the mount.^{[10]
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- Use your hands to tighten the hose onto the shower mount and head. If it’s difficult to tighten them, place a rag on both pieces to increase the friction.
4
Turn on the water and check for leaks. Turn on the water and look to make sure the connections between the shower head, hose, and mount aren’t leaking. If they are, tighten the connections with your hands or place a rag on top of the nut and tighten it with a pair of pliers.^{[11]
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- Try not to tighten the connections too much, or the shower components may crack.
- If you have a combination bathtub and shower, pull up on the knob on the tub spout to activate the shower.

Section 4 of 5:

Installing a Combination Shower Head

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1
Attach the diverter to the shower arm. Wrap Teflon tape clockwise 2 to 3 times around the threads on the shower arm if your manufacturer’s instructions recommend doing so. Make sure the rubber washers are fitted correctly inside each outlet in the diverter, then screw the diverter onto the shower arm.^{[12]
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Research source} Place a cloth over the connection and tighten the diverter with pliers.
- When you’re finished tightening the diverter, make sure the clip that holds the shower head faces to the side.
- Some shower heads come with a small cover to screw onto the arm before attaching the diverter. This covers and protects the Teflon tape and the connection.
2
Screw the main shower head and the hose on the diverter. Make sure the rubber washer is seated properly in the head, then hand-tighten it onto the diverter. Insert the washers at each end of the hose if they aren’t inside already, then screw one end of the hose on the diverter.^{[13]
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- There’s no need to tighten the connections with a pair of pliers—hand-tightening can do the job without the risk of cracking your shower head’s components.
- Check your instructions. Some manufacturers recommend wrapping Teflon tape around the diverter outlet before you screw on the shower head.^{[14]
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3
Attach the hose to the hand-held shower head. Hand-tighten the other end of the hose to the hand-held shower head. Slide the handle of the hand-held head into the clip or holder located on the side of the diverter.^{[15]
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- The hose may become more flexible over time as the hot water from the shower flows through it.^{[16]
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4
Turn on the water, divert it to the hand-held unit, and check for leaks. Turn on the water to your shower as normal and check the connections. Turn the switch next to the main shower head and check again for leaks.^{[17]
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Research source} If any of the connections leak, tighten the connections a little more by hand or place a cloth over them and screw them tighter with a pair of pliers.
- Some units may have a lever next to the shower head that diverts the water to the hand-held head, while others have a small knob or switch you have to twist.

Section 5 of 5:

Choosing a Shower Head to Install

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Assess your household’s needs to find the shower head you want. There are tons of different heads out there with different finishes and features.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source

Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing

Go to source} Most types of heads can simply be replaced with each other, however, it’s best to consult the instructions to make sure this is the case before you buy a new one. The main types of shower heads include:
- Fixed shower heads: These cannot be removed from the wall like a hand-held shower head. They usually screw directly onto the arm pipe that sticks out of the wall.
- Handheld shower heads: These have a mount that attaches to the shower arm and holds a removable shower head, which can be useful for bathing kids or pets.
- Combination or dual shower heads: These have a fixed and a hand-held shower head that both attach to the arm using a diverter. Some allow you to use both at once.
- Rain shower heads: Rain heads have an additional horizontal spout that screws onto the shower arm and the shower head.^{[19]
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  Research source} However, ceiling-mount heads may require a plumber to install.^{[20]
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- Sliding bar shower heads: The heads on these shower systems move up and down along a wall-mounted base, which is great for family members of different heights.^{[21]
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  Research source} However, having a professional install this kind of shower may be best.
2
Look for a showerhead with the WaterSense label. These products use no more than 2 US gal (7.6 L) of water per minute, which can help save the environment and your water bill. This doesn’t mean they aren’t as powerful—WaterSense showerheads must meet requirements to provide good-quality spray distribution and pressure.^{[22]
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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices

Go to source}
- If everyone in the U.S. installed WaterSense shower heads, it would save about $1.5 billion in water utility bills and 250,000,000,000 US gal (9.5×10¹¹ L) of water each year.^{[23]
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  United States Environmental Protection Agency
  Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices
  
  Go to source}
- There are 2 basic types of WaterSense heads: aerating and laminar flow. Aerating shower heads form a misty spray, while laminar-flow heads create individual streams of water.^{[24]
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  U.S. Department of Energy
  Official site for the U.S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency
  
  Go to source}
- If you live in a humid climate, consider looking for a laminar-flow shower head because it won’t create as much steam and moisture.^{[25]
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  U.S. Department of Energy
  Official site for the U.S. Department of Energy, which provides resources related to energy safety, conservation, and efficiency
  
  Go to source}

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Tips

Make sure the shower knobs are completely turned off and are secured tightly. This will prevent any water from leaking out as you work to replace the shower head.

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Be careful not to break the seal where the pipe connected to the shower arm attaches to the piping system.

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Lay a blanket or tarp down in the tub or on the shower floor to prevent any shower head bits from possibly falling down the shower drain.

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